posted
Hi, I was tested (24 hour urin test) for hormon imbalance and found out that I have 10 hormons that are too low and 4 that are too high. My doctor wants to put me on 6 differnt hormon perskriptions. They are the kind that have to be compounded.
The names of the medications are: Cortisol, DHEA, Testosterone, Progesterone, Estradiol cream, Sublingual under the tongue and growth hormone shots.
I'm really nervous about taking them and was wondering is any one here has taken them or knows anything about them. Please let me know. Sandy
Posts: 56 | From Washington State | Registered: Feb 2006
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Truth be told, our hormones are greatly affected. Many believe in not using synthetic hormones, but compounded ones made from natural substances like those that exist naturally in our body. Susan Somers wrote a book about it - well, she wrote about her experience using compounded hormone preparations, although I believe she was only taking 1 or 2. But even so, they needed tweaking often to get just the right balance.
That seems to be a lot of preps he's suggestion to use all at once. I hope he's adept at what he's doing and knows how to get all of these into balance.
Best wishes to you !
Posts: 90 | From New Jersey | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Sandy this is something I have been struggling with myself.
One physician I have suggests I be on DHEA and progesterone...then I go to my OB/GYN who says be very careful because once you start supplementing your body ramps down production and then you are dependent on supplementation of hormones and this makes him nervous...
SO, I have taken nothing. I tried progesterone supplementation and I took it on the wrong days by accident and it was not pretty. Now I have talked to other Lyme patients who swear by the stuff if it is compounded and not synthetic.
If it were me and I decided I wanted to try it I would add it slowly and ramp up. Lymies tend to be super sensitive to everything.
As well, I would talk to my physician and ask if they can be started one at a time or if they have to be balanced together. If it is permisable to start one at a time then I would do it that way so you can feel how each one affects you.
I really feel that this is one of the many keys to getting well with Lyme. Many feel it affects the hormones in our bodies which are so important to turning on and off all kinds of important mechanisms in our bodies.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
-------------------- �Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right.� - Ezre Taft Benson Posts: 655 | From NC, Exit 88 on the Deer SuperHighway | Registered: Dec 2004
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clairenotes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10392
posted
I have been taking bio-identical hormones off and on due to low adrenal function, which affects some hormone production as well as other important processes, according to my PA/naturopath.
My PA likes to go slowly starting with one or two hormones only, and the least amount. We started with DHEA which sometimes can be a catalyst for the others, according to her.
Later we added progesterone. It was helpful in reducing my PMS symptoms. My PA had me taking it during the last half of my cycle. She says that sometimes people feel better taking it throughout, but I became depressed on that much.
We tried testosterone, but it made me feel a little aggressive at times. I think this can be dealt with by lowering the dose.
When stress hormones were really depleted, she prescribed cortisone. That was too strong for me, too activating, and I stopped. It may be in the dose, but I didn't want to continue with it. Another health professional I was seeing was not in agreement about cortisone.
Now I do not take anything because my other health regimens are somehow helping to bring back balance and adrenals are now normal. So there is hope that things could normalize after we get healthier.
I agree that if you need them, it is important to take them, because deficits can cause difficulties throughout your system in different ways. It could interfere with getting well, overall. But slow and steady is a good idea. If you take them altogether, you may not be able to tell what is doing what and therefore, not be able to know which one to increase or reduce, etc. I think it is really important for us to discern what is doing what.
Claire
Posts: 1111 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Thank you for sharing your expireances and for the advise. I'm such a chicken when it comes to medications. I guess I'll just start slow and see what happens. Sandy
Posts: 56 | From Washington State | Registered: Feb 2006
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trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
i was on birth control pills for 4 years for endometriosis and they helped my pelvic pain. I was on Yasmin.
Now I take prometrium (bio-identical progesterone) and I seem to be okay with it. we accidentally upped my dose (doubled it to 400mg) a week post-op and I became a basket case. I went back to the 200 and am fine. It does NOT prevent me from getting a period each month though.
good luck!
Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
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geniveve
Unregistered
posted
i had a hysterectomy back in 97. my doc put me on premarin but when i found out how it was made said never again.
so he switched me cenestin which is made from natural yams or something. i take a red pill and then a vaginal cream.
i asked about going off but he said with my heart history and all no way........
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
My daughter and I use bio-identical progesterone only. When that is at the level it should be, all the other hormones tend to fall into place.
Progesterone is the first hormone to be depleted by stress.
It's personal to everyone, but since hormones change hourly depending on stress, diet, sleep, etc., I wouldn't pay to have them adjusted every month. We are doing great on the one hormone.
clairenotes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10392
posted
I agree. Progesterone often has the most impact in my experience.
If you are using the other hormones, you can tell, sometimes, what you need to increase or decrease by the emotions at hand. Excess anger, decrease estrogen (or increase progesterone if not taking estrogen). If feeling depressed decrease progesterone. Testosterone also can make you feel a little aggressive or angry, too. Cortisone turned me into an extrovert in an unnatural way, while taking it.
Favorite adrenal support: Devil's Club tincture by Gaia Herbs and the new favorite, sea salt. Glandulars can be helpful, too.
Claire
[ 09. January 2007, 11:48 AM: Message edited by: clairenotes ]
Posts: 1111 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2006
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